Norway

Kristiansand

This was basically my first time riding a segway…  It is very easy to maneuver it’s the getting on and getting off that is difficult.  I conquered mounting and driving it uphills and downhills and going fast, but was never quite sure of my dismount skills, as the thing is still on when one steps off it - I was always fearful that it would continue on and run over some poor tourist…lol  Teresa was the back of the line assistant, so I hung out with her.  She helped me take photos and held the segway while I dismounted a couple of times…  I enjoyed motoring around, but it is hard on your legs having to stand for over 2 hours…  My feet and thighs were complaining about halfway through the ride…lol 

Kristiansand is Norway’s sunniest port and is the largest exporter of dried cod…  It is a pristine town that sparkles with white wooden homes, shops, a beautiful park and even a beach shore…if course even in summer the water to way to cold for us westerners – you could probably get your polar bear badge all year round.  We got lucky and had a beautiful, sunny day.  After puttering about on the segways, I met up with B and we toured the town once more but by mini-train this time…  Because it was Sunday, the shops were all closed, but B offered to buy me lunch.  We went into this cute little pub and ate pulled pork sandwiches!  I didn’t know this was Norwegian food, but it sure was tasty.  Fits right up there in our top 15 for bbq, and the waitress was beautiful.  We asked if she might be interested in an American boy, and she said, “sure just send him over”  - So there you go J, just move to Norway…lol 

Kritiansand was a delightful town and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Bergen

Bergen is one of Norway’s largest cities and probably the largest port.  We decided to take the hop on/hop off bus to get a feel for the whole place.  Again we had nice sunny weather – which you have to understand is unique for the area – my friends that were here 2 weeks earlier had snow…

We hopped off the bus in the downtown area and explored the fish market.  There were offering tasting bites of whale, elk and reindeer.  I thought the smoked whale was quite tasty but opted not to buy any because of its lack of longevity… 

I convinced B we needed to go in search of the Magic Ice Bar.  I have always wanted to see a whole pub built of ice and I knew one existed here in Bergen..  According to folks we asked it was just down the road about 5 minutes.  We didn’t remember this was a European 5 minutes which converts to American 15 minutes…lol!  But eventually we found it and put on the extra heavyweight ponchos they provided and went it to freeze our asses off…lol  Actually they also provided lambskin rugs to sit on the ice.  It was lit in subdued colors of blues and pinks.  Our drinks were served in ice cups and were included in the price.  It was white wine and a cherry liquore – nasty tasting but fun to toast with…  It was a very cool experience and I am glad we did it…

The Pokémon-Go craze continues in Norway also and not just by me…  I talked to several boys who were strolling around and playing in packs…  I caught several new ones myself and have almost leveled up to 16.  I enjoy chatting with the kids about the game and experiencing their astonishment and delight because an old lady is playing too…

We had a sea day before our next port and we enjoyed playing games about the ship.  We joined the ship Olympics team, I played trivia 4 times and we are even representing USA in the golf Ryder cup.  B went 3 for 3 putts and is the only passenger to do so.  I made 1 out of 3 and the US is in the lead so far…yay! 

Unfortunately the casino had to close the last couple of days due to sailing in British waters…  B says his machine is lonely and misses him – lol

The ship is hugs over 4000 passengers but we have finally managed to navigate it well as the activites we play are in the same locations daily.  And we put up a door decortion, so we can always find our room…

Scotland and Ireland are our future ports…  check back soon

Tak